Apparatus and method for cutting and stripping an electrical cable

ABSTRACT

An electrical stripping and cutting tool having first and second elongated members that are pivotable about a laterally extending pivot axis relative to each other. First and second face plates are attached to distal ends of the first and second elongated members. In a closed position of the electrical cable stripping and cutting tool, the first and second face plates collectively form a single flat face plate. First and second pairs of cutting members are respectively formed on first and second sides of the first and second face plates. Cutting surfaces of the first pair of cutting members are shaped and dimensioned to cut through an outer sheath of an electrical cable having a first sheath dimension. Cutting surfaces of the second pair of cutting members are shaped and dimensioned to cut through an outer sheath of an electrical cable having a second sheath dimension.

RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application No.62/545,558, filed 15 Aug. 2017, the subject matter of which isincorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates to an apparatus and method for use of anelectrical cable stripping and cutting tool and, more particularly, toan apparatus and method for cutting and stripping an electrical cable.

BACKGROUND

An electrician or another individual may often work with electricalcables. For example, the electrical cable may have a non-metallic outersheath that surrounds multiple individual conductors, which areinsulated from each other by insulation covering the individualconductors. The electrical cable may include two current-carryingconductors with individual insulation and an uninsulated or bare groundwire. The electrician or another individual may want to cut the outersheath and strip a length of the outer sheath away from the conductorswithout cutting, nicking, or otherwise damaging the conductors or theindividual conductor insulation for the conductors. In addition, afterremoving the outer sheath, the electrician or other individual may wantto cut the individual conductor insulation on one or more of theconductors and strip a length of insulation from a conductor withoutcutting, nicking, or otherwise damaging the conductors.

SUMMARY

In an aspect, an electrical cable stripping and cutting tool isprovided. The electrical cable includes an outer sheath radiallysurrounding at least one electrical conductor which is radiallysurrounded by individual conductor insulation. The electrical cablestripping and cutting tool has a first elongated member having aproximal end and a longitudinally opposite distal end. A secondelongated member has a proximal end and a longitudinally opposite distalend. The second elongated member is joined to the first elongated membersuch that the first and second elongated members are pivotable about alaterally extending pivot axis relative to each other. A first faceplate is attached to the distal end of the first elongated member. Thefirst face plate is oriented substantially perpendicular to alongitudinal axis of the first elongated member. The first face platehas a first side and a laterally opposite second side. A second faceplate is attached to the distal end of the second elongated member. Thesecond face plate is oriented substantially perpendicular to alongitudinal axis of the second elongated member. The second face platehas a first side and a laterally opposite second side. In a closedposition of the electrical cable stripping and cutting tool, the firstside of the first face plate abuts the first side of the second faceplate, the second side of the first face plate abuts the second side ofthe second face plate, and the first and second face plates collectivelyform a single flat face plate. A first pair of cutting members is formedon the first side of the first and second face plates. Each of the firstpair of cutting members has a cutting surface presented toward the othercutting surface of the first pair of cutting members. A second pair ofcutting members is formed on the second side of the first and secondface plates. Each of the second pair of cutting members has a cuttingsurface presented toward the other cutting surface of the second pair ofcutting members. The cutting surfaces of the first pair of cuttingmembers are shaped and dimensioned to cut through an outer sheath of anelectrical cable having a first sheath dimension without cutting theindividual conductor insulation covering the at least one electricalconductor and without cutting the at least one electrical conductor whenat least a portion of the electrical cable having the outer sheath withthe first sheath dimension extends longitudinally between the first pairof cutting members. The cutting surfaces of the second pair of cuttingmembers are shaped and dimensioned to cut through an outer sheath of anelectrical cable having a second sheath dimension without cutting theindividual conductor insulation covering the at least one electricalconductor and without cutting the at least one electrical conductor whenat least a portion of the electrical cable having the outer sheath withthe second sheath dimension extends longitudinally between the firstpair of cutting members. The second sheath dimension is smaller than thefirst sheath dimension.

In an aspect, a method for cutting and stripping an electrical cable isprovided. An electrical cable including an outer sheath surrounding atleast one electrical conductor covered with individual conductorinsulation is provided. An electrical cable stripping and cutting toolis provided. The electrical cable stripping and cutting tool has a firstelongated member having a proximal end and a longitudinally oppositedistal end. A second elongated member has a proximal end and alongitudinally opposite distal end. The second elongated member isjoined to the first elongated member such that the first and secondelongated members are pivotable about a laterally extending pivot axisrelative to each other. A first face plate is attached to the distal endof the first elongated member. The first face plate is orientedsubstantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the firstelongated member. The first face plate has a first side and a laterallyopposite second side. A second face plate is attached to the distal endof the second elongated member. The second face plate is orientedsubstantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the secondelongated member. The second face plate has a first side and a laterallyopposite second side. In a closed position of the electrical cablestripping and cutting tool, the first side of the first face plate abutsthe first side of the second face plate, the second side of the firstface plate abuts the second side of the second face plate, and the firstand second face plates collectively form a single flat face plate. Afirst pair of cutting members is formed on the first side of the firstand second face plates. Each of the first pair of cutting members has acutting surface presented toward the other cutting surface of the firstpair of cutting members. A second pair of cutting members is formed onthe second side of the first and second face plates. Each of the secondpair of cutting members has a cutting surface presented toward the othercutting surface of the second pair of cutting members. The cuttingsurfaces of the first pair of cutting members are shaped and dimensionedto cut through an outer sheath of an electrical cable having a firstsheath dimension without cutting the individual conductor insulationcovering the at least one electrical conductor and without cutting theat least one electrical conductor when at least a portion of theelectrical cable having the outer sheath with the first sheath dimensionextends longitudinally between the first pair of cutting members. Thecutting surfaces of the second pair of cutting members are shaped anddimensioned to cut through an outer sheath of an electrical cable havinga second sheath dimension without cutting the individual conductorinsulation covering the at least one electrical conductor and withoutcutting the at least one electrical conductor when at least a portion ofthe electrical cable having the outer sheath with the second sheathdimension extends longitudinally between the first pair of cuttingmembers. The second sheath dimension is smaller than the first sheathdimension. The electrical cable stripping and cutting tool is moved toan open position. It is determined whether the electrical cable has thefirst sheath dimension or the second sheath dimension. When it isdetermined that the electrical cable has the first sheath dimension, acut portion of the outer sheath is removed from the electrical cable toexpose a portion of the individual conductor insulation covering the atleast one electric conductor by placing at least a portion of theelectrical cable having the first sheath dimension longitudinallybetween the first pair of cutting members. With the electrical cablehaving the first sheath dimension longitudinally between the first pairof cutting members, a portion of the outer sheath is cut at leastpartially through by moving the electrical cable stripping and cuttingtool toward the closed position. Motion of the electrical cablestripping and cutting tool toward the closed position causes the cuttingsurfaces of the first pair of cutting members to move together over theelectrical cable to cut at least partially through a portion of theouter sheath of the electrical cable. The cut portion of the outersheath is removed. When it is determined that the electrical cable hasthe second sheath dimension, a cut portion of the outer sheath isremoved from the electrical cable to expose a portion of the individualconductor insulation covering the at least one electric conductor byplacing at least a portion of the electrical cable having the secondsheath dimension longitudinally between the second pair of cuttingmembers. With the electrical cable having the first sheath dimensionlongitudinally between the second pair of cutting members, a portion ofthe outer sheath is cut at least partially through by moving theelectrical cable stripping and cutting tool toward the closed position.Motion of the electrical cable stripping and cutting tool toward theclosed position causes the cutting surfaces of the second pair ofcutting members to move together over the electrical cable to cut atleast partially through a portion of the outer sheath of the electricalcable. The cut portion of the outer sheath is removed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a better understanding, reference may be made to the accompanyingdrawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective side view of an electrical cable stripping andcutting tool according to one aspect of the present invention, in anopen configuration;

FIG. 2 is a top view of the aspect of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a rear view of the aspect of FIG. 1, in the openconfiguration;

FIG. 4 is a perspective side view of the aspect of FIG. 1, in a closedconfiguration;

FIG. 5 is a rear perspective view of the aspect of FIG. 1, in the openconfiguration;

FIG. 6 is a side view of the aspect of FIG. 1, in the openconfiguration;

FIG. 7 is a side view of the aspect of FIG. 1, in the closedconfiguration; and

FIGS. 8-14 schematically illustrate an example sequence of operation ofthe aspect of FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used hereinhave the same meaning as is commonly understood by one of skill in theart to which the present disclosure pertains.

As used herein, the term “user” can be used interchangeably to refer toan individual who prepares for, assists with, and/or performs theoperation of a tool.

As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an” and “the” can include theplural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Itwill be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or“comprising,” as used herein, can specify the presence of statedfeatures, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do notpreclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps,operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

As used herein, the term “and/or” can include any and all combinationsof one or more of the associated listed items.

As used herein, phrases such as “between X and Y” can be interpreted toinclude X and Y.

As used herein, the phrase “at least one of X and Y” can be interpretedto include X, Y, or a combination of X and Y. For example, if an elementis described as having at least one of X and Y, the element may, at aparticular time, include X, Y, or a combination of X and Y, theselection of which could vary from time to time. In contrast, the phrase“at least one of X” can be interpreted to include one or more Xs.

It will be understood that when an element is referred to as being “on,”“attached” to, “connected” to, etc., another element, it can be directlyon, attached to or connected to the other element or interveningelements may also be present. In contrast, when an element is referredto as being, for example, “directly attached” to another element, thereare no intervening elements present. It will also be appreciated bythose of skill in the art that references to a structure or feature thatis disposed “adjacent” another feature may not have portions thatoverlap or underlie the adjacent feature.

Spatially relative terms, such as “over” and the like, may be usedherein for ease of description to describe one element or feature'srelationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in theFigures. It will be understood that the spatially relative terms canencompass different orientations of a device in use or operation, inaddition to the orientation depicted in the Figures. For example, if adevice in the Figures is inverted, elements described as “under” or“beneath” other elements or features would then be oriented “over” theother elements or features.

It will be understood that, although the terms “first,” “second,” etc.may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements shouldnot be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguishone element from another. Thus, a “first” element discussed below couldalso be termed a “second” element without departing from the teachingsof the present disclosure. The sequence of operations (or steps) is notlimited to the order presented in the claims or Figures unlessspecifically indicated otherwise.

The invention comprises, consists of, or consists essentially of thefollowing features, in any combination.

FIG. 1 depicts an electrical cable stripping and cutting tool 100 forstripping an electrical cable having an outer sheath radiallysurrounding at least one electrical conductor which is radiallysurrounded by individual conductor insulation. The outer sheath may alsosurround a bare ground wire or conductor without individual conductorinsulation, which may be disposed between the insulation-surroundedconductors. The electrical cable stripping and cutting tool 100 hasfirst and second elongated members 102, 104. The first elongated member102 has a proximal end 106, a longitudinally opposite distal end 108,and a length 110 extending from the proximal end 106 of the firstelongated member 102 to the distal end 108 of the first elongated member102. The term “longitudinal” is used herein to indicate a substantiallyhorizontal direction, in the orientation of FIG. 1. The first elongatedmember 102 may have a handle portion 112 that extends distally from theproximal end 106 of the first elongated member 102 for at least aportion of the length 110 of the first elongated member 102.

The second elongated member 104 has a proximal end 114, a longitudinallyopposite distal end 116, and a length 118 that extends from the proximalend 114 of the second elongated member 104 to the distal end 116 of thesecond elongated member 104. The second elongated member 104 may have ahandle portion 120 that extends distally from the proximal end 114 ofthe second elongated member 104 for at least a portion of the length 118of the second elongated member 104. Each handle portion 112, 120 may beat least partially ergonomically shaped, rubber-coated, cushioned,and/or have any suitable characteristics for assisting a user withcomfortably gripping the electrical cable stripping and cutting tool 100for use as desired.

A substantially ovoid, disc-like offset portion 122 may be formed in thelength of the first elongated member 102. A similar substantially ovoid,disc-like offset portion 124 may also be formed at approximately thesame position along the length of the second elongated member 104. Thefirst and second elongated members 102, 104 may be placed side by sideat the offset portions 122, 124.

Each offset portion 122, 124 has an opening 125, 127 that passeslaterally through the corresponding first or second elongated member102, 104. When the first and second elongated members 102, 104 areplaced side by side at the offset portions 122, 124, the openings 125,127 are laterally aligned. The term “lateral” is used herein to indicatea direction substantially perpendicular to the “longitudinal” direction,and is shown as the vertical direction in the orientation of FIG. 2. Afastener 126 is received in the aligned openings 125, 127. As shown inFIG. 2, the fastener 126 has a shaft 228 received in the alignedopenings 125, 127. At opposite ends of the shaft 228, the fastener 126has enlargements 230, 232 that are too large to pass through the alignedopenings 125, 127 in the offset portions 122, 124. The enlargements 230,232 may be permanently fixed to the shaft 228, as by being formed in onepiece with the shaft 228, or may be removable from the shaft 228, as bybeing nuts engaged with a threaded portion of the shaft 228. Thefastener 126 may be a rivet, if it is desired to join the firstelongated member 102 to the second elongated member 104 in a permanentor nonremovable manner, or may a bolt with a removably attached nut, ifit is desired to join the first elongated member 102 to the secondelongated member 104 in a manner that can be reversed as may be desired,for example, for replacement of one of the first and second elongatedmembers 102, 104.

The shaft 228 of the fastener 126 provides a laterally oriented axle orshaft for pivotal movement of the first and second elongated members102, 104 relative to one another. Thus, the second elongated member 104is joined to the first elongated member 102 such that the first andsecond elongated members 102, 104 are pivotable about a laterallyextending pivot axis 234, corresponding to the shaft 228 of the fastener126, relative to each other.

As shown in FIGS. 1-2, a first face plate 136 is attached to the distalend 108 of the first elongated member 102. The first face plate 136 isoriented substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis 238 of thefirst elongated member 102 (FIG. 2). The first face plate 136 has afirst side 140 and a laterally opposite second side 142 and a length 144extending laterally from the first side 140 of the first face plate 136to the second side 142 of the first face plate 136.

A second face plate 146 is attached to the distal end 116 of the secondelongated member 104. The second face plate 146 is orientedsubstantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis 248 of the secondelongated member 104 (FIG. 2). The second face plate 146 has a firstside 150 and a laterally opposite second side 152 and a length 154extending laterally from the first side 150 of the second face plate 146to the second side 152 of the second face plate 146.

Referring to FIGS. 1-3, a first pair of cutting members 156 (shown hereas the first pair of cutting members 156 a, 156 b) is formed on thefirst side 140, 150 of the first and second face plates 136, 146. One ofthe first pair of cutting members 156 a, 156 b is formed on one of thefirst and second face plates 136, 146. The other of the first pair ofcutting members 156 a, 156 b is formed on the other of the first andsecond face plates 136, 146. Each of the first pair of cutting members156 a, 156 b has a cutting surface 158 (shown here as the cuttingsurfaces 158 a, 158 b) oriented lateral to the longitudinal axis 238 ofthe first elongated member 102 and the longitudinal axis 248 of thesecond elongated member 104 (FIG. 3). Each cutting surface 158 a, 158 bof the first pair of cutting members 156 a, 156 b is presented towardthe other cutting surface 158 a, 158 b of the first pair of cuttingmembers 156 a, 156 b. The cutting surfaces 158 a, 158 b of the firstpair of cutting members 156 a, 156 b are shaped and dimensioned to cutthrough an outer sheath of an electrical cable having a first sheathdimension without cutting the individual conductor insulation coveringthe at least one electrical conductor and without cutting the at leastone electrical conductor when at least a portion of the electrical cableextends longitudinally between the first pair of cutting members 156 a,156 b.

“Cut through”, “cutting”, and similar language, as used herein, areintended to indicate that the “cut” item is substantially severed. Forexample, an outer sheath could be considered to be “cut through” at acircumference thereof by the electrical cable stripping and cutting tool100, even if some minimal portion of the outer sheath is still attached(e.g., at opposite diameters of the outer sheath), as long as a minoreffort can readily be exerted to snap the still-attached portion in afrangible manner. As a result, these remaining attachments can be usedto ensure that a “cut” off portion does not slip off unwantedly.

It is also intended that the term “without cutting” is interpretedthroughout as meaning “without substantially cutting” the subjectstructure. For example, the outer sheath of the electrical cable shouldbe considered to have been cut through “without cutting” the individualconductor insulation, while still admitting of some slight amount ofnicking, slicing, denting, creasing, marking, or other permanent ortemporary damage or alteration to the individual conductor insulation,as long as the individual conductor insulation is not cut through (aspreviously discussed). One of ordinary skill in the art will recognizethat manufacturing tolerances, the tool usage style of an individualuser, variances in electrical cable sizes, and other factors couldcontribute to a situation wherein the “cut” or “not cut” status of acomponent of the electrical cable can vary and is not a binary orabsolute determination.

As shown in FIGS. 1-3, a second pair of cutting members 160 (shown hereas the second pair of cutting members 160 a, 160 b) is formed on thesecond side 142, 152 of the first and second face plates 136, 146. Oneof the second pair of cutting members 160 a, 160 b is formed on one ofthe first and second face plates 136, 146. The other of the second pairof cutting members 160 a, 160 b is formed on the other of the first andsecond face plates 136, 146. Each of the second pair of cutting members160 a, 160 b has a cutting surface 162 (shown here as the cuttingsurfaces 162 a, 162 b) oriented lateral to the longitudinal axis 238 ofthe first elongated member 102 and the longitudinal axis 248 of thesecond elongated member 104 (FIG. 3). Each cutting surface 162 a, 162 bof the second pair of cutting members 160 a, 160 b is presented towardthe other cutting surface 162 a, 162 b of the second pair of cuttingmembers 160 a, 160 b. The cutting surfaces 162 a, 162 b of the secondpair of cutting members 160 a, 160 b are shaped and dimensioned to cutthrough an outer sheath of an electrical cable having a second sheathdimension, which is smaller than the first sheath dimension, withoutcutting the individual conductor insulation covering the at least oneelectrical conductor and without cutting the at least one electricalconductor when at least a portion of the electrical cable extendslongitudinally between the second pair of cutting members 160 a, 160 b.

Because the first pair of cutting members 156 a, 156 b is designed tocut through an outer sheath of an electrical cable having a first sheathdimension, and the second pair of cutting members 160 a, 160 b isdesigned to cut through an outer sheath of an electrical cable having asecond sheath dimension, the electrical cable stripping and cutting tool100 provides a user with the ability to cut through the outer sheath ofelectrical cables having the first sheath dimension and through theouter sheath of electrical cables having the second sheath dimensionwithout having to use two separate tools. For example, the electricalcable stripping and cutting tool 100 may be used as a hand tool to stripand cut a non-metallic electrical cable, such as cable sold under thetrademark Romex® by Southwire Company, LLC of Carrollton, Ga., USA.Non-metallic electrical cables include electrical conductors havingstandardized sizes, such as, but not limited to, 12 Gauge and 14 Gauge,assigned by systems such as the American Wire Gauge. Non-metallicelectrical cables may include bundles of individual electricalconductors. A 12/2 Gauge electrical cable has an outer sheath covering abundle of three solid 12 Gauge electrical conductors having a bareground electrical conductor in the middle of two insulated electricalconductors. A 14/2 Gauge electrical cable has an outer sheath covering abundle of three solid 14 Gauge electrical conductors having a bareground electrical conductor in the middle of two insulated electricalconductors. The outer sheath of a 12/2 Gauge electrical cable istypically larger than the outer sheath of a 14/2 Gauge electrical cablebecause 12 Gauge electrical conductors have a larger diameter than 14Gauge electrical conductors.

The first pair of cutting members 156 a, 156 b may be at least partiallyshaped and dimensioned to cut through the outer sheath of a 12/2 Gaugeelectrical cable, and the second pair of cutting members 160 a, 160 bmay be at least partially shaped and dimensioned to cut through theouter sheath of a 14/2 Gauge electrical cable. In such case, theelectrical cable stripping and cutting tool 100 is applicable to cutthrough the outer sheath of both a 12/2 Gauge electrical cable, usingthe first pair of cutting members 156 a, 156 b, and a 14/2 Gaugeelectrical cable, using the second pair of cutting members 160 a, 160 b.Although, 12/2 Gauge and 14/2 Gauge electrical cables have beendescribed in the above as being cut by the first and second pairs ofcutting members 156 a, 156 b, 160 a, 160 b, the first and second pairsof cutting members 156 a, 156 b, 160 a, 160 b may be at least partiallyshaped and dimensioned to cut through the outer sheath of any desiredgauged electrical cable.

Referring back to FIG. 1, the electrical cable stripping and cuttingtool 100 is shown in an open position. In the open position, the handleportions 112, 120 of the first and second elongated members 102, 104 arespaced apart further than they are in a closed position, as will bediscussed later, the first side 140 of the first face plate 136 isspaced apart from the first side 150 of the second face plate 146, andthe second side 142 of the first face plate 136 is spaced apart from thesecond side 152 of the second face plate 146. The electrical cablestripping and cutting tool 100 may have a biasing member 164, such as aspring, that extends between the first and second elongated members 102,104. The biasing member 164, when present, biases the electrical cablestripping and cutting tool 100 toward the open position.

FIG. 4 depicts the electrical cable stripping and cutting tool 100 in aclosed position. In the closed position of the electrical cablestripping and cutting tool 100, the first side 140 of the first faceplate 136 abuts the first side 150 of the second face plate 146, thesecond side 142 of the first face plate 136 abuts the second side 152 ofthe second face plate 146, and the first and second face plates 136, 146collectively form a single flat face plate 466. As shown in FIGS. 1 and4, the cutting surfaces 158 a, 158 b of the first pair of cuttingmembers 156 a, 156 b move toward one another upon pivotal movement ofthe first and second elongated members 102, 104 about the pivot axis234, corresponding to the fastener 126, relative to each other such thatthe proximal end 106 of the first elongated member 102 and the proximalend 114 of the second elongated member 104 move toward one another asthe electrical cable stripping and cutting tool 100 moves toward theclosed position. The cutting surfaces 162 a, 162 b of the second pair ofcutting members 160 a, 160 b move toward one another upon pivotalmovement of the first and second elongated members 102, 104 about thepivot axis 234, corresponding to the fastener 126, relative to eachother such that the proximal end 106 of the first elongated member 102and the proximal end 114 of the second elongated member 104 move towardone another as the electrical cable stripping and cutting tool 100 movestoward the closed position.

As shown in FIG. 5, the electrical cable stripping and cutting tool 100may include a locking mechanism 568. The locking mechanism 568 may bepositioned on at least one of the first and second elongated members102, 104. After the first and second elongated members 102, 104 arepivoted about the pivot axis 234 relative to each other such that theelectrical cable stripping and cutting tool 100 is moved from the openposition to the closed position, the locking mechanism 568 may beactuated to maintain the electrical cable stripping and cutting tool 100in the closed position. The locking mechanism 568 may include arotatable lever 570 and a pivot pin 572. The lever 570 is an elongatedflat member having an locking end 574 at one end of the lever 570 and acircular opening 576 adjacent to the other end of the lever 570. Thecircular opening 576 is dimensioned and configured to receive the pivotpin 572, which may be mounted in a permanent and non-removable manner onthe second elongated member 104 so as to project substantiallyperpendicular to the length and longitudinal axis 248 of the secondelongated member 104. Alternatively, the pivot pin 572 may be removablymounted to the second elongated member 104, permanently mounted to thefirst elongated member 102, or removably mounted to the first elongatedmember 102. When the pivot pin 572 is received in the circular opening576, the lever 570 pivotally or rotatably mounted on the pivot pin 572.

The first elongated member 102 may have a locking surface 578 that iscapable of receiving the locking end 574 of the lever 570.Alternatively, the locking surface 578 may be located on the secondelongated member 104. In use of the rotatable lever locking mechanism568, 570, after the first and second elongated members 102, 104 arepivoted about the pivot axis 234 relative to each other such that theelectrical cable stripping and cutting tool 100 is moved from the openposition to the closed position, the lever 570 may be rotated to abutthe locking end 574 of the lever 570 against the locking surface 578 ofthe first elongated member 102. The engagement of the locking end 574 ofthe lever 570 with the locking surface 578 prevents the electrical cablestripping and cutting tool 100 from moving to the open position.However, when the lever 570 is in engagement with the locking surface578, the first and second elongated members 102, 104 may be spaced aparta small, predetermined distance. To assist in pivoting the lever 570 soas to move the locking end 574 of the lever 570 into and out ofengagement with the locking surface 578, a thumb plate 580 may beattached to or formed in one piece with the lever 570 in a manner so asto project substantially perpendicular to the length 110, 118 andlongitudinal axis 238, 248 of the first and second elongated members102, 104 in the same direction as the pivot axis 234.

The first and second face plates 136, 146 may each be indirectlyattached to the distal ends 108, 116 of the first and second elongatedmembers 102, 104. Although only clearly seen as the second elongatedmember 104 in FIG. 5, the first and second face plates 136, 146 each maybe attached to a first connection end 582, 584 of first and secondconnection elements 586, 588, respectively. A second connection end 590,592 of the first and second connection elements 586, 588 are attached tothe distal end 108, 116 of the first and second elongated members 102,104, respectively. The first face plate 136, the first elongated member102, and the first connection element 586, when provided, may beintegrally manufactured as a single piece. As used herein, the phrase“integrally manufactured as a single piece” indicates a situationwherein the structures described as such are manufactured and used as asingle piece, not assembled subcomponents. The second face plate 146,the second elongated member 104, and the second connection element 588,when provided, may be integrally manufactured as a single piece.Alternatively, a portion of the lengths 144, 154 of the first and secondface plates 136, 146 between the first and second sides 140, 142, 150,152 of the first and second face plates 136, 146 may be directlyattached (i.e., without intervening first and second connection elements586, 588) to the distal ends 108, 116 of the first and second elongatedmembers 102, 104.

As shown in FIGS. 6-7, a third pair of cutting members 694 (shown hereas third pair of cutting members 694 a, 694 b), a fourth pair of cuttingmembers 698 (shown here as fourth pair of cutting members 698 a, 698 b),and a fifth pair of cutting members 6102 (shown here as fifth pair ofcutting members 6102 a, 6102 b) may be formed on the first and secondelongated members 102, 104. One of the third pair of cutting members 694a, 694 b is formed on one of the first and second elongated members 102,104. The other of the third pair of cutting members 694 a, 694 b isformed on the other of the first and second elongated members 102, 104.Each of the third pair of cutting members 694 a, 694 b has a cuttingsurface 696 (shown here as cutting surfaces 696 a, 696 b) oriented alongthe length 110 of the first elongated member 102 and the length 118 ofthe second elongated member 104. Each cutting surface 696 a, 696 b ofthe third pair of cutting members 694 a, 694 b may be at least partiallyarcuate. Each cutting surface 696 a, 696 b of the third pair of cuttingmembers 694 a, 694 b is presented toward the other cutting surface 696a, 696 b of the third pair of cutting members 694 a, 694 b.

As shown in FIGS. 6-7, the cutting surfaces 696 a, 696 b of the thirdpair of cutting members 694 a, 694 b move toward one another uponpivotal movement of the first and second elongated members 102, 104about the pivot axis 234 relative to each other such that the proximalend 106 of the first elongated member 102 and the proximal end 114 ofthe second elongated member 104 move toward one another as theelectrical cable stripping and cutting tool 100 is moved toward theclosed position. The third pair of cutting members 694 a, 694 b isformed and/or positioned such that the cutting surfaces 696 a, 696 b ofthe third pair of cutting members 694 will pass by one another in closeproximity to one another as the electrical cable stripping and cuttingtool 100 is moved toward the closed position. The cutting surfaces 696a, 696 b of the third pair of cutting members 694 a, 694 b may be atleast partially shaped and dimensioned for collectively shear-cuttingthe electrical cable when at least a portion of the electrical cableextends laterally between the third pair of cutting members 694 a, 694b. The cutting surfaces 696 a, 696 b of the third pair of cuttingmembers 694 a, 694 b may also be used to cut the electrical conductorsand the ground wire of the electrical cable to an appropriate length forconnection to an electrical outlet or other electrical device.

One of the fourth pair of cutting members 698 a, 698 b is formed on oneof the first and second elongated members 102, 104. The other of thefourth pair of cutting members 698 a, 698 b is formed on the other ofthe first and second elongated members 102, 104. Each of the fourth pairof cutting members 698 a, 698 b has a cutting surface 6100 (shown hereas cutting surfaces 6100 a, 6100 b) oriented along the length 110 of thefirst elongated member 102 and the length 118 of the second elongatedmember 104. Each cutting surface 6100 a, 6100 b of the fourth pair ofcutting members 698 a, 698 b is presented toward the other cuttingsurface 6100 a, 6100 b of the fourth pair of cutting members 698 a, 698b.

As shown in FIGS. 6-7, the cutting surfaces 6100 a, 6100 b of the fourthpair of cutting members 698 a, 698 b move toward one another uponpivotal movement of the first and second elongated members 102, 104about the pivot axis 234 relative to each other such that the proximalend 106 of the first elongated member 102 and the proximal end 114 ofthe second elongated member 104 move toward one another as theelectrical cable stripping and cutting tool 100 is moved toward theclosed position. The fourth pair of cutting members 698 a, 698 b isformed and/or positioned such that the cutting surfaces 6100 a, 6100 bof the fourth pair of cutting members 698 a, 698 b will pass by oneanother in close proximity to one another as the electrical cablestripping and cutting tool 100 is moved toward the closed position. Thecutting surfaces 6100 a, 6100 b of the fourth pair of cutting members698 a, 698 b are shaped and dimensioned to cut through an individualconductor insulation having a first insulation dimension and coveringone electrical conductor without cutting the one electrical conductorwhen at least a portion of the one electrical conductor covered by theindividual conductor insulation extends laterally between the fourthpair of cutting members 698 a, 698 b.

One of the fifth pair of cutting members 6102 a, 6102 b is formed on oneof the first and second elongated members 102, 104. The other of thefifth pair of cutting members 6102 a, 6102 b is formed on the other ofthe first and second elongated members 102, 104. Each of the fifth pairof cutting members 6102 a, 6102 b has a cutting surface 6104 (shown hereas cutting surfaces 6104 a, 6104 b) oriented along the length 110 of thefirst elongated member 102 and the length 118 of the second elongatedmember 104. Each cutting surface 6104 a, 6104 b of the fifth pair ofcutting members 6102 a, 6102 b is presented toward the other cuttingsurface 6104 a, 6104 b of the fifth pair of cutting members 6102 a, 6102b.

As shown in FIGS. 6-7, the cutting surfaces 6104 of the fifth pair ofcutting members 6102 a, 6102 b move toward one another upon pivotalmovement of the first and second elongated members 102, 104 about thepivot axis 234 relative to each other such that the proximal end 106 ofthe first elongated member 102 and the proximal end 114 of the secondelongated member 104 move toward one another as the electrical cablestripping and cutting tool 100 is moved toward the closed position. Thefifth pair of cutting members 6102 a, 6102 b is formed and/or positionedsuch that the cutting surfaces 6104 a, 6104 b of the fifth pair ofcutting members 6102 a, 6102 b will pass by one another in closeproximity to one another as the electrical cable stripping and cuttingtool 100 is moved toward the closed position. The cutting surfaces 6104a, 6104 b of the fifth pair of cutting members 6102 a, 6102 b are shapedand dimensioned to cut through an individual conductor insulation havinga second insulation dimension, which is smaller than the firstinsulation dimension, covering one electrical conductor without cuttingthe one electrical conductor when at least a portion of the oneelectrical conductor covered by the individual conductor insulationextends laterally between the fifth pair of cutting members 6102 a, 6102b.

Because the fourth pair of cutting members 698 is designed to cutthrough an individual conductor insulation having a first insulationdimension, and the fifth pair of cutting members 6102 is designed to cutthrough an individual conductor insulation having a second insulationdimension, the electrical cable stripping and cutting tool 100 providesa user with the ability to cut through individual conductor insulationshaving the first insulation dimension and through individual conductorinsulations having the second insulation dimension without having to usetwo separate tools. For example, the fourth pair of cutting members 698may be at least partially shaped and dimensioned to cut through anindividual conductor insulation surrounding a 12 Gauge electricalconductor, and the fifth pair of cutting members 6102 may be at leastpartially shaped and dimensioned to cut through an individual conductorinsulation surrounding a 14 Gauge electrical conductor. The individualconductor insulation surrounding a 12 Gauge electrical conductor istypically larger than the individual conductor insulation surrounding a14 Gauge electrical conductor because 12 Gauge electrical conductorshave a larger diameter than 14 Gauge electrical conductors. In suchcase, the electrical cable stripping and cutting tool 100 is applicableto cut through the individual conductor insulation surrounding a 12Gauge electrical conductor, using the fourth pair of cutting members698, and through the individual conductor insulation surrounding a 14Gauge electrical conductor, using the fifth pair of cutting members6102. Although the individual conductor insulation surrounding 12 and 14Gauge electrical conductors have been described above as being cut bythe fourth and fifth pairs of cutting members 698, 6102, respectively,the fourth and fifth pairs of cutting members 698, 6102 may be at leastpartially shaped and dimensioned to cut through the individual conductorinsulation of any desired gauged electrical conductor.

The third pair of cutting members 694, the fourth pair of cuttingmembers 698, and the fifth pair of cutting members 6102 may belongitudinally parallel and adjacent to one another on the first andsecond elongated members 102, 104. The third, the fourth, and the fifthpairs of cutting members 694, 698, 6102 may be perpendicularlypositioned between the first and second sides 140, 142, 150, 152 of thefirst and second face plates 140, 146 (FIG. 5).

In use, the electrical cable stripping and cutting tool 100, asdescribed above, is provided to a user. The electrical cable strippingand cutting tool 100 may be used as a hand tool to strip and cut anon-metallic electrical cable, such as Romex® cable. As shown in FIG. 8,such electrical cable 8106 includes a non-metallic outer sheath 8108,typically formed from an electrically-insulating polyvinyl chloridematerial. The outer sheath 8108 surrounds multiple individual electricalconductors, such as conductors 8110 and 8112, which are insulated fromeach other. More particularly, the conductor 8110 is surrounded byindividual conductor insulation 8114, and the conductor 8112 issurrounded by individual conductor insulation 8116. Also surrounded bythe outer sheath 8108 is a bare ground wire or conductor 8118 withoutindividual conductor insulation, which is disposed between theconductors 8110 and 8112. Each of the conductors 8110, 8112, 8118 maybe, for example, a single, solid strand of metal, such as copper oraluminum, or a strand fabricated from several metal filaments twisted orbraided together. As shown, each of the conductors 8110, 8112, 8118 hasa circular cross-section, and each of the conductors 8110, 8112 issurrounded by circular cross-section individual conductor insulation8114, 8116. The conductors 8110, 8112, 8118 are commonly referred to aswires.

The electrical cable 8106, as described above, is provided to the user.The electrical cable stripping and cutting tool 100 is moved to an openposition. The first and second elongated members 102, 104 may be spreadapart under the bias of the biasing member 164 to move the electricalcable stripping and cutting tool 100 into the open position. If the userdesires to shear-cut the electrical cable 8106 to remove a portion ofthe electrical cable, as shown in FIG. 8, at least a portion of theelectrical cable 8106 is placed longitudinally between the third pair ofcutting members 694 a, 694 b.

As shown in FIGS. 8-9, with the electrical cable 8106 longitudinallybetween the third pair of cutting members 694 a, 694 b, a portion of theelectrical cable 8106 is cut at least partially through by moving theelectrical cable stripping and cutting tool 100 toward the closedposition. A force may be applied to the handle portions 112, 120 of thefirst and second elongated members 102, 104 to move the electrical cablestripping and cutting tool 100 into the closed position. The forceapplied to the handle portions 112, 120 of the first and secondelongated members 102, 104 causes the handle portions 112, 120 to movetogether, the first and second elongated members 102, 104 to pivot aboutthe pivot axis 234, and the first and second face plates 136, 146 tomove together. The motion of the electrical cable stripping and cuttingtool 100 toward the closed position causes the cutting surfaces 696 a,696 b of the third pair of cutting members 694 a, 694 b to move togetherover the electrical cable 8106 to shear-cut at least partially through aportion of the electrical cable 8106. FIG. 9 also depicts the portion ofthe electrical cable 8106 that was separated from the remainder of theelectrical cable 8106 after a portion of the electrical cable wasshear-cut.

If the user desires to cut and strip at least a portion of the outersheath 8108 from the electrical cable 8106, the user may place at leasta portion of the electrical cable 8106 between one of the first pair ofcutting members 156 a, 156 b and the second pair of cutting members 160a, 160 b depending on the dimensions of the outer sheath 8108 of theelectrical cable 8106. For example, if the electrical cable 8106 is a12/2 Gauge electrical cable 8106 and the cutting surfaces 158 a, 158 bof the first pair of cutting members 156 a, 156 b are dimensioned to cutthrough the outer sheath 8108 of a 12/2 Gauge electrical cable 8106, atleast a portion of the electrical cable 8106 may be placedlongitudinally between the first pair of cutting members 156 a, 156 b.If the electric cable 8106 is a 14/2 Gauge electrical cable 8106 and thecutting surfaces 162 a, 162 b of the second pair of cutting members 160a, 160 b is dimensioned to cut through the outer sheath 8108 of a 14/2Gauge electrical cable 8106, at least a portion of the electrical cable8106 may be placed longitudinally between the second pair of cuttingmembers 160 a, 160 b.

Accordingly, if the user desires to cut and strip at least a portion ofthe outer sheath 8108 from the electrical cable 8106, the user firstdetermines the dimensions of the electrical cable 8106, such as bydetermining whether the electrical cable 8106 has the first sheathdimension or the second sheath dimension. Upon determining that theelectrical cable 8106 has the first sheath dimension, at least a portionof the electrical cable 8106 having the first sheath dimension is placedlongitudinally between the first pair of cutting members 156 a, 156 b,as shown in FIG. 10. As shown in FIGS. 10-11, with the electrical cable8106 having the first sheath dimension longitudinally between the firstpair of cutting members 156 a, 156 b, a portion of the outer sheath 8108is cut at least partially through by moving the electrical cablestripping and cutting tool 100 toward the closed position. The motion ofthe electrical cable stripping and cutting tool 100 toward the closedposition causes the cutting surfaces 158 a, 158 b of the first pair ofcutting members 156 a, 156 b to move together over the electrical cable8106 to cut at least partially through a portion of the outer sheath8108 of the electrical cable 8106.

The cut portion of the outer sheath 8108 is removed from the electricalcable 8106 to expose a portion of the bare ground wire or conductor 8118and a portion of each of the individual conductor insulations 8114, 8116covering each of the conductors 8110, 8112. For example, with at least aportion of the electrical cable 8106 between the first pair of cuttingmembers 156 a, 156 b and the electrical cable stripping and cutting tool100 in the closed position, the electrical cable 8106 may be heldstationary and the electrical cable stripping and cutting tool 100 maybe longitudinally moved in the longitudinally proximal direction (shownas an arrow in FIG. 11) with respect to the electrical cable 8106 to atleast partially urge the cut portion of the outer sheath 8108longitudinally in the longitudinally proximal direction with respect tothe electrical cable 8106. Instead of longitudinally moving theelectrical cable stripping and cutting tool 100 is in the longitudinallyproximal direction, the cut portion of the outer sheath 8108 may bepulled off from the electrical cable 8106 by the user to expose aportion of the bare ground wire or conductor 8118 and a portion of eachof the individual conductor insulations 8114, 8116 covering each of theconductors 8110, 8112. The electrical cable stripping and cutting tool100 is then moved to the open position.

Alternatively, upon determining that the electrical cable 8106 has thesecond sheath dimension, at least a portion of the electrical cable 8106having the second sheath dimension is placed longitudinally between thesecond pair of cutting members 160 a, 160 b. With the electrical cable8106 having the second sheath dimension longitudinally between thesecond pair of cutting members 160 a, 160 b, a portion of the outersheath 8108 is cut at least partially through by moving the electricalcable stripping and cutting tool 100 toward the closed position. Themotion of the electrical cable stripping and cutting tool 100 toward theclosed position causes the cutting surfaces 162 a, 162 b of the secondpair of cutting members 160 a, 160 b to move together over theelectrical cable 8106 to cut at least partially through a portion of theouter sheath 8108 of the electrical cable 8106. The cut portion of theouter sheath 8108 is removed from the electrical cable 8106 to expose aportion of the bare ground wire or conductor 8118 and a portion of eachof the individual conductor insulations 8114, 8116 covering each of theconductors 8110, 8112, in a similar sequence as described above.

If the user desires to cut and strip at least a portion of one of theexposed individual conductor insulation 8114, 8116 covering acorresponding conductor 8110, 8112, the user may place at least aportion of that one exposed individual conductor insulation 8114, 8116between one of the fourth pair of cutting members 698 a, 698 b and thefifth pair of cutting members 6102 a, 6102 b depending on the dimensionsof the one exposed individual conductor insulation 8114, 8116 coveringthe corresponding conductor 8110, 8112. For example, if thecorresponding conductor 8110, 8112 is a 12 Gauge conductor 8110, 8112and the cutting surfaces 6100 a, 6100 b of the fourth pair of cuttingmembers 698 a, 698 b are dimensioned to cut through the exposedindividual conductor insulation 8114, 8116 covering the 12 Gaugeconductor 8110, 8112, at least a portion of the exposed individualconductor insulation 8114, 8116 covering the corresponding conductor8110, 8112 is placed laterally between the fourth pair of cuttingmembers 698 a, 698 b. If the corresponding conductor 8110, 8112 is a 14Gauge conductor 8110, 8112 and the cutting surfaces 6104 a, 6104 b ofthe fifth pair of cutting members 6102 a, 6102 b are dimensioned to cutthrough the exposed individual conductor insulation 8114, 8116 coveringthe 14 Gauge conductor 8110, 8112, at least a portion of the exposedindividual conductor insulation 8114, 8116 covering the correspondingconductor 8110, 8112 is placed laterally between the fifth pair ofcutting members 6102 a, 6102 b.

Accordingly, if the user desires to cut and strip at least a portion ofone of the exposed individual conductor insulation 8114, 8116 covering acorresponding conductor 8110, 8112, the user first determines thedimensions of the electrical cable 8106, such as by determining whetherthe exposed individual conductor insulation 8114, 8116 has the firstinsulation dimension or the second insulation dimension. Upondetermining that the electrical cable 8106 has the first insulationdimension, at least a portion of one of the exposed individual conductorinsulation 8114, 8116 (shown here as a first individual conductorinsulation 8114) having the first insulation dimension and covering acorresponding conductor 8110, 8112 (shown here as the conductor 8110) isplaced laterally between the fourth pair of cutting members 698 a, 698b, as shown in FIGS. 12a-12b . As shown in FIGS. 12a-13b , with theexposed individual conductor insulation 8114 portion of the electricalcable 8106 between the fourth pair of cutting members 698 a, 698 b, aportion of the individual conductor insulation 8114 is cut at leastpartially through by moving the electrical cable stripping and cuttingtool 100 toward the closed position. The motion of the electrical cablestripping and cutting tool 100 toward the closed position causes thecutting surfaces 6100 a, 6100 b of the fourth pair of cutting members698 a, 698 b to move together over the exposed individual conductorinsulation 8114 portion of the electrical cable 8106 to cut at leastpartially through a portion of the individual conductor insulation 8114covering the corresponding electrical conductor 8110.

The cut portion of the individual conductor insulation 8114 is removedfrom the electrical cable 8106 to expose the corresponding conductor8110. For example, with the exposed individual conductor insulation 8114portion of the electrical cable 8106 between the fourth pair of cuttingmembers 698 a, 698 b and the electrical cable stripping and cutting tool100 in the closed position, the electrical cable 8106 is held stationaryand the electrical cable stripping and cutting tool 100 is laterallymoved in a laterally proximal direction (shown as an arrow in FIG. 13b )with respect to the electrical cable 8106 to at least partially urge thecut portion of the individual conductor insulation 8114 laterally in thelaterally proximal direction with respect to the electrical cable 8106.Instead of laterally moving the electrical cable stripping and cuttingtool 100 is in the laterally proximal direction, the cut portion of theindividual conductor insulation 8114 may be pulled off from theelectrical cable 8106 by the user to expose the corresponding conductor8110. The electrical cable stripping and cutting tool 100 is then movedto the open position.

Alternatively, upon determining that the electrical cable has the secondinsulation dimension, at least a portion of one of the exposedindividual conductor insulation 8114, 8116 having the second insulationdimension and covering a corresponding conductor 8110, 8112 is placedlaterally between the fifth pair of cutting members 6102 a, 6102 b. Withthe exposed individual conductor insulation 8114, 8116 portion of theelectrical cable 8106 between the fifth pair of cutting members 6102 a,6102 b, a portion of the individual conductor insulation 8114, 8116 iscut at least partially through by moving the electrical cable strippingand cutting tool 100 toward the closed position. The motion of theelectrical cable stripping and cutting tool 100 toward the closedposition causes the cutting surfaces 6104 a, 6104 b of the fifth pair ofcutting members 6102 a, 6102 b to move together over the exposedindividual conductor insulation 8114, 8116 portion of the electricalcable 8106 to cut at least partially through a portion of the individualconductor insulation 8114, 8116 covering the corresponding electricalconductor 8110, 8112. The cut portion of the outer sheath 8108 isremoved from the electrical cable 8106 to expose a portion of the bareground wire or conductor 8118 and a portion of each of the individualconductor insulations 8114, 8116 covering each of the conductors 8110,8112, in a similar sequence as described above.

With the electrical cable 8106 having the second sheath dimensionlongitudinally between the second pair of cutting members 160 a, 160 b,a portion of the outer sheath 8108 is cut at least partially through bymoving the electrical cable stripping and cutting tool 100 toward theclosed position. The motion of the electrical cable stripping andcutting tool 100 toward the closed position causes the cutting surfaces162 a, 162 b of the second pair of cutting members 160 a, 160 b to movetogether over the electrical cable 8106 to cut at least partiallythrough a portion of the outer sheath 8108 of the electrical cable 8106.The cut portion of the individual conductor insulation 8114, 8116 isremoved from the electrical cable 8106 to expose the correspondingconductor 8110, 8112, in a similar sequence as described above.

After one of the exposed individual conductor insulation 8114, 8116covering a corresponding conductor 8110, 8112 has been cut in the manneras described above, if the user then desires to cut and strip at least aportion of any of the remaining uncut, unstripped, and exposedindividual conductor insulation 8114, 8116 covering a correspondingconductor 8110, 8112, the user may utilize one of the fourth pair ofcutting members 698 a, 698 b and the fifth pair of cutting members 6102a, 6102 b, depending on the dimensions of the one individual conductorinsulation 8114, 8116 covering the corresponding conductor 8110, 8112,to cut and strip the desired individual conductor insulation 8114, 8116in a similar sequence of operation as described above.

FIG. 14 depicts the electrical cable 8106 after the user has utilizedthe electrical cable stripping and cutting tool 100 to shear-cut theelectrical cable 8106 to remove a portion of the electrical cable 8106,to cut and strip at least a portion of the outer sheath 8108 from theelectrical cable 8106, and to cut and strip at least of portion of theexposed individual conductor insulation 8114, 8116 covering theconductors 8110, 8112. As can be seen, a portion of the bare ground wireor conductor 8118 and a portion of the each of the conductors 8110, 8112are exposed. If the user desires, the user may then shear-cut anyremaining portion of the electrical cable 8106 with the third pair ofcutting members 694 a, 694 b in a similar sequence as described above.

Although the electrical cable stripping and cutting tool 100 has beendescribed as cutting and stripping an electrical cable 8106 having anon-metallic outer sheath 8108 that surrounds multiple individualelectrical conductors 8110, 8112, which are insulated from each other,and a bare ground wire or conductor 8118, the electrical cable strippingand cutting tool 100 may be configured and/or utilized to cut and stripany desired electrical cable.

The first and second elongated members 102, 104, the locking mechanism568, the first and second first face plates 136, 146, the first andsecond connection elements 586, 588, when provided, the fastener 126,and/or the biasing member 164, can each be at least partially formedfrom silicone, polyethylene, polypropylene, steel, titanium, any othersuitable material, or any combination thereof.

The electrical cable stripping and cutting tool 100 assists the user incutting and stripping the outer sheath 8108 of an electrical cable 8106without cutting, nicking, or otherwise damaging the conductors 8110,8112, 8118 or the individual conductor insulation 8114, 8116, and afterremoving the outer sheath 8108, cutting and stripping the individualconductor insulation 8114, 8116 on the conductors 8110, 8112 withoutcutting, nicking, or otherwise damaging the conductors 8110, 8112, 8116in a multiple-stroke process without the need of additional tools.

Although the first and second face plates 136, 146 have been describedas having the first and second pairs of cutting members 156 a, 156 b,160 a, 160 b for cutting the outer sheath of an electrical cable, it iscontemplated that the first and second face plates 136, 146 may havemore than two pairs of cutting members for cutting through the outersheath of an electrical cable to allow for cutting surfaces withdifferent dimensions than those of the first and second pairs of cuttingmembers 156 a, 156 b, 160 a, 160 b.

Although the first and second elongated members 102, 104 have beendescribed as having the fourth and fifth pairs of cutting members 698 a,698 b, 6102 a, 6102 b for cutting through the individual conductorinsulation, it is contemplated that the first and second elongatedmembers 102, 104 may have more than two pairs of cutting members forcutting through the individual conductor insulation to allow for cuttingsurfaces with different dimensions than those of the fourth and fifthpairs of cutting members 698 a, 698 b, 6102 a, 6102 b. Additionally, itis contemplated that the electrical cable cutting and stripping tool 100may have more than the five pairs of cutting members described above.

It is contemplated that the offset portions 122, 124 of the first andsecond elongated members 102, 104 may include more openings than theopenings 125, 127 for allowing the first and second elongated members102, 104 to be fit together in several configurations for stripping andcutting different sized electrical cables.

While aspects of this disclosure have been particularly shown anddescribed with reference to the example aspects above, it will beunderstood by those of ordinary skill in the art that various additionalaspects may be contemplated. For example, the specific methods describedabove for using the apparatus are merely illustrative; one of ordinaryskill in the art could readily determine any number of tools, sequencesof steps, or other means/options for placing the above-describedapparatus, or components thereof, into positions substantively similarto those shown and described herein. In an effort to maintain clarity inthe Figures, certain ones of duplicative components shown have not beenspecifically numbered, but one of ordinary skill in the art willrealize, based upon the components that were numbered, the elementnumbers which should be associated with the unnumbered components; nodifferentiation between similar components is intended or implied solelyby the presence or absence of an element number in the Figures. Any ofthe described structures and components could be integrally formed as asingle unitary or monolithic piece or made up of separatesub-components, with either of these formations involving any suitablestock or bespoke components and/or any suitable material or combinationsof materials. Any of the described structures and components could bedisposable or reusable as desired for a particular use environment. Anycomponent could be provided with a user-perceptible marking to indicatea material, configuration, at least one dimension, or the likepertaining to that component, the user-perceptible marking potentiallyaiding a user in selecting one component from an array of similarcomponents for a particular use environment. A “predetermined” statusmay be determined at any time before the structures being manipulatedactually reach that status, the “predetermination” being made as late asimmediately before the structure achieves the predetermined status. Theterm “substantially” is used herein to indicate a quality that islargely, but not necessarily wholly, that which is specified—a“substantial” quality admits of the potential for some relatively minorinclusion of a non-quality item. Though certain components describedherein are shown as having specific geometric shapes, all structures ofthis disclosure may have any suitable shapes, sizes, configurations,relative relationships, cross-sectional areas, or any other physicalcharacteristics as desirable for a particular application. Anystructures or features described with reference to one aspect orconfiguration could be provided, singly or in combination with otherstructures or features, to any other aspect or configuration, as itwould be impractical to describe each of the aspects and configurationsdiscussed herein as having all of the options discussed with respect toall of the other aspects and configurations. A device or methodincorporating any of these features should be understood to fall underthe scope of this disclosure as determined based upon the claims belowand any equivalents thereof.

Other aspects, objects, and advantages can be obtained from a study ofthe drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims.

We claim:
 1. An electrical cable stripping and cutting tool, theelectrical cable including an outer sheath radially surrounding at leastone electrical conductor which is radially surrounded by individualconductor insulation, the tool comprising: a first elongated memberhaving a proximal end and a longitudinally opposite distal end; a secondelongated member having a proximal end and a longitudinally oppositedistal end, the second elongated member being joined to the firstelongated member such that the first and second elongated members arepivotable about a laterally extending pivot axis relative to each other;a first face plate attached to the distal end of the first elongatedmember, the first face plate being oriented substantially perpendicularto a longitudinal axis of the first elongated member, the first faceplate having a first side and a laterally opposite second side; a secondface plate attached to the distal end of the second elongated member,the second face plate being oriented substantially perpendicular to alongitudinal axis of the second elongated member, the second face platehaving a first side and a laterally opposite second side, in a closedposition of the electrical cable stripping and cutting tool, the firstside of the first face plate abutting the first side of the second faceplate, the second side of the first face plate abutting the second sideof the second face plate, and the first and second face platescollectively forming a single flat face plate; a first pair of cuttingmembers formed on the first side of the first and second face plates,each of the first pair of cutting members having a cutting surfacepresented toward the other cutting surface of the first pair of cuttingmembers; and a second pair of cutting members formed on the second sideof the first and second face plates, each of the second pair of cuttingmembers having a cutting surface presented toward the other cuttingsurface of the second pair of cutting members; wherein the cuttingsurfaces of the first pair of cutting members are shaped and dimensionedto cut through an outer sheath of an electrical cable having a firstsheath dimension without cutting the individual conductor insulationcovering the at least one electrical conductor and without cutting theat least one electrical conductor when at least a portion of theelectrical cable having the outer sheath with the first sheath dimensionextends longitudinally between the first pair of cutting members, andthe cutting surfaces of the second pair of cutting members are shapedand dimensioned to cut through an outer sheath of an electrical cablehaving a second sheath dimension without cutting the individualconductor insulation covering the at least one electrical conductor andwithout cutting the at least one electrical conductor when at least aportion of the electrical cable having the outer sheath with the secondsheath dimension extends longitudinally between the first pair ofcutting members, the second sheath dimension being smaller than thefirst sheath dimension.
 2. The electrical cable stripping and cuttingtool of claim 1, wherein one of the first pair of cutting members isformed on one of the first and second face plates, the other of thefirst pair of cutting members being formed on the other of the first andsecond face plates, each of the first pair of cutting members having thecutting surface oriented lateral to the longitudinal axis of the firstelongated member and the longitudinal axis of the second elongatedmember, the cutting surfaces of the first pair of cutting members movingtoward one another upon pivotal movement of the first and secondelongated members about the pivot axis relative to each other such thatthe proximal end of the first elongated member and the proximal end ofthe second elongated member move toward one another as the electricalcable stripping and cutting tool is moving toward the closed position.3. The electrical cable stripping and cutting tool of claim 2, whereinone of the second pair of cutting members is formed on one of the firstand second face plates, the other of the second pair of cutting membersbeing formed on the other of the first and second face plates, each ofthe second pair of cutting members having the cutting surface orientedlateral to the longitudinal axis of the first elongated member and thelongitudinal axis of the second elongated member, the cutting surfacesof the second pair of cutting members moving toward one another uponpivotal movement of the first and second elongated members about thepivot axis relative to each other such that the proximal end of thefirst elongated member and the proximal end of the second elongatedmember move toward one another as the electrical cable stripping andcutting tool is moving toward the closed position.
 4. The electricalcable stripping and cutting tool of claim 1, wherein the first andsecond face plates are each attached to a first connection end of firstand second connection elements, respectively, a second connection end ofthe first and second connection elements being attached to the distalend of the first and second elongated members, respectively.
 5. Theelectrical cable stripping and cutting tool of claim 4, wherein thefirst face plate, the first elongated member, and the first connectionelement are integrally manufactured as a single piece, and the secondface plate, the second elongated member, and the second connectionelement are integrally manufactured as a single piece.
 6. The electricalcable stripping and cutting tool of claim 1, including a third pair ofcutting members formed on the first and second elongated members, one ofthe third pair of cutting members being formed on one of the first andsecond elongated members, the other of the third pair of cutting membersbeing formed on the other of the first and second elongated members,each of the third pair of cutting members having a cutting surfaceoriented along a length of the first elongated member and a length ofthe second elongated member, the length of the first elongated memberextending from the proximal end of the first elongated member to thedistal end of the first elongated member, the length of the secondelongated member extending from the proximal end of the second elongatedmember to the distal end of the second elongated member, each cuttingsurface of the third pair of cutting members being presented toward theother cutting surface of the third pair of cutting members, the cuttingsurfaces of the third pair of cutting members each being shaped anddimensioned for collectively shear cutting the electrical cable when atleast a portion of the electrical cable extends laterally between thethird pair of cutting members.
 7. The electrical cable stripping andcutting tool of claim 6, wherein he cutting surfaces of the third pairof cutting members move toward one another upon pivotal movement of thefirst and second elongated members about the pivot axis relative to eachother such that the proximal end of the first elongated member and theproximal end of the second elongated member move toward one another asthe electrical cable stripping and cutting tool is moving toward theclosed position.
 8. The electrical cable stripping and cutting tool ofclaim 6, including a fourth pair of cutting members formed on the firstand second elongated members, one of the fourth pair of cutting membersbeing formed on one of the first and second elongated members, the otherof the fourth pair of cutting members being formed on the other of thefirst and second elongated members, each of the fourth pair of cuttingmembers having a cutting surface oriented along the length of the firstelongated member and the length of the second elongated member, eachcutting surface of the fourth pair of cutting members being presentedtoward the other cutting surface of the fourth pair of cutting members,the cutting surfaces of the fourth pair of cutting members being shapedand dimensioned to cut through the individual conductor insulationcovering one electrical conductor without cutting the one electricalconductor when at least a portion of the one electrical conductorcovered by the individual conductor insulation extends laterally betweenthe fourth pair of cutting members.
 9. The electrical cable strippingand cutting tool of claim 8, wherein the cutting surfaces of the fourthpair of cutting members move toward one another upon pivotal movement ofthe first and second elongated members about the pivot axis relative toeach other such that the proximal end of the first elongated member andthe proximal end of the second elongated member move toward one anotheras the electrical cable stripping and cutting tool is moving toward theclosed position.
 10. The electrical cable stripping and cutting tool ofclaim 8, including a fifth pair of cutting members formed on the firstand second elongated members, one of the fifth pair of cutting membersbeing formed on one of the first and second elongated members, the otherof the fifth pair of cutting members being formed on the other of thefirst and second elongated members, each of the fifth pair of cuttingmembers having a cutting surface oriented along the length of the firstelongated member and the length of the second elongated member, eachcutting surface of the fifth pair of cutting members being presentedtoward the other cutting surface of the fifth pair of cutting members,the cutting surfaces of the fifth pair of cutting members being shapedand dimensioned to cut through the individual conductor insulationcovering one electrical conductor without cutting the one electricalconductor when at least a portion of the one electrical conductorcovered by the individual conductor insulation extends laterally betweenthe fifth pair of cutting members, wherein the cutting surfaces of thefourth pair of cutting members are shaped and dimensioned to cut throughan individual conductor insulation having a first insulation dimensionand the cutting surfaces of the fifth pair of cutting members are shapedand dimensioned to cut through an individual conductor insulation havinga second insulation dimension, the first insulation dimension beinglarger than the second insulation dimension.
 11. The electrical cablestripping and cutting tool of claim 10, wherein the cutting surfaces ofthe fifth pair of cutting members move toward one another upon pivotalmovement of the first and second elongated members about the pivot axisrelative to each other such that the proximal end of the first elongatedmember and the proximal end of the second elongated member move towardone another as the electrical cable stripping and cutting tool is movingtoward the closed position.
 12. The electrical cable stripping andcutting tool of claim 10, wherein the third pair of cutting members, thefourth pair of cutting members, and the fifth pair of cutting membersare longitudinally parallel and adjacent to one another, the third, thefourth, and the fifth pairs of cutting members being perpendicularlypositioned between the first and second sides of the first and secondface plates.
 13. The electrical cable stripping and cutting tool ofclaim 1, including a biasing member extending between the first andsecond elongated members, the biasing member biasing the electricalcable stripping and cutting tool toward an open position.
 14. Theelectrical cable stripping and cutting tool of claim 13, wherein thebiasing member is a spring.
 15. The electrical cable stripping andcutting tool of claim 13, including a locking mechanism being positionedon at least one of the first and second elongated members, wherein afterthe first and second elongated members are pivoted about the pivot axisrelative to each other such that the electrical cable stripping andcutting tool is moved from the open position to the closed position, thelocking mechanism is actuatable to maintain the electrical cablestripping and cutting tool in the closed position.
 16. A method forcutting and stripping an electrical cable, the method comprising:providing an electrical cable including an outer sheath surrounding atleast one electrical conductor covered with individual conductorinsulation; providing an electrical cable stripping and cutting tool,including a first elongated member having a proximal end and alongitudinally opposite distal end, a second elongated member having aproximal end and a longitudinally opposite distal end, the secondelongated member being joined to the first elongated member such thatthe first and second elongated members are pivotable about a laterallyextending pivot axis relative to each other, a first face plate attachedto the distal end of the first elongated member, the first face platebeing oriented substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of thefirst elongated member, the first face plate having a first side and alaterally opposite second side, a second face plate attached to thedistal end of the second elongated member, the second face plate beingoriented substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of thesecond elongated member, the second face plate having a first side and alaterally opposite second side, in a closed position of the electricalcable stripping and cutting tool, the first side of the first face plateabutting the first side of the second face plate, the second side of thefirst face plate abutting the second side of the second face plate, andthe first and second face plates collectively forming a single flat faceplate, a first pair of cutting members formed on the first side of thefirst and second face plates, each of the first pair of cutting membershaving a cutting surface presented toward the other cutting surface ofthe first pair of cutting members, and a second pair of cutting membersformed on the second side of the first and second face plates, each ofthe second pair of cutting members having a cutting surface presentedtoward the other cutting surface of the second pair of cutting members,the cutting surfaces of the first pair of cutting members being shapedand dimensioned to cut through an outer sheath of an electrical cablehaving a first sheath dimension without cutting the individual conductorinsulation covering the at least one electrical conductor and withoutcutting the at least one electrical conductor when at least a portion ofthe electrical cable having the outer sheath with the first sheathdimension extends longitudinally between the first pair of cuttingmembers, and the cutting surfaces of the second pair of cutting membersbeing shaped and dimensioned to cut through an outer sheath of anelectrical cable having a second sheath dimension without cutting theindividual conductor insulation covering the at least one electricalconductor and without cutting the at least one electrical conductor whenat least a portion of the electrical cable having the outer sheath withthe second sheath dimension extends longitudinally between the firstpair of cutting members, the second sheath dimension being smaller thanthe first sheath dimension; moving the electrical cable stripping andcutting tool to an open position; determining whether the electricalcable has the first sheath dimension or the second sheath dimension;when it is determined that the electrical cable has the first sheathdimension, removing a cut portion of the outer sheath from theelectrical cable to expose a portion of the individual conductorinsulation covering the at least one electric conductor by placing atleast a portion of the electrical cable having the first sheathdimension longitudinally between the first pair of cutting members, withthe electrical cable having the first sheath dimension longitudinallybetween the first pair of cutting members, cutting at least partiallythrough a portion of the outer sheath by moving the electrical cablestripping and cutting tool toward the closed position, motion of theelectrical cable stripping and cutting tool toward the closed positioncausing the cutting surfaces of the first pair of cutting members tomove together over the electrical cable to cut at least partiallythrough a portion of the outer sheath of the electrical cable, andremoving the cut portion of the outer sheath; and when it is determinedthat the electrical cable has the second sheath dimension, removing acut portion of the outer sheath from the electrical cable to expose aportion of the individual conductor insulation covering the at least oneelectric conductor by placing at least a portion of the electrical cablehaving the second sheath dimension longitudinally between the secondpair of cutting members, with the electrical cable having the firstsheath dimension longitudinally between the second pair of cuttingmembers, cutting at least partially through a portion of the outersheath by moving the electrical cable stripping and cutting tool towardthe closed position, motion of the electrical cable stripping andcutting tool toward the closed position causing the cutting surfaces ofthe second pair of cutting members to move together over the electricalcable to cut at least partially through a portion of the outer sheath ofthe electrical cable, and removing the cut portion of the outer sheath.17. The method of claim 16, wherein the electrical cable stripping andcutting tool further includes a fourth pair of cutting members formed onthe first and second elongated members, one of the fourth pair ofcutting members being formed on one of the first and second elongatedmembers, the other of the fourth pair of cutting members being formed onthe other of the first and second elongated members, each of the fourthpair of cutting members having a cutting surface oriented along thelength of the first elongated member and the length of the secondelongated member, each cutting surface of the fourth pair of cuttingmembers being presented toward the other cutting surface of the fourthpair of cutting members, the cutting surfaces of the fourth pair ofcutting members being shaped and dimensioned to cut through theindividual conductor insulation covering one electrical conductorwithout cutting the one electrical conductor when at least a portion ofthe one electrical conductor covered by the individual conductorinsulation extends laterally between the fourth pair of cutting members,and a fifth pair of cutting members formed on the first and secondelongated members, one of the fifth pair of cutting members being formedon one of the first and second elongated members, the other of the fifthpair of cutting members being formed on the other of the first andsecond elongated members, each of the fifth pair of cutting membershaving a cutting surface oriented along the length of the firstelongated member and the length of the second elongated member, eachcutting surface of the fifth pair of cutting members being presentedtoward the other cutting surface of the fifth pair of cutting members,the cutting surfaces of the fifth pair of cutting members being shapedand dimensioned to cut through the individual conductor insulationcovering one electrical conductor without cutting the one electricalconductor when at least a portion of the one electrical conductorcovered by the individual conductor insulation extends laterally betweenthe fifth pair of cutting members, the cutting surfaces of the fourthpair of cutting members being shaped and dimensioned to cut through anindividual conductor insulation having a first insulation dimension andthe cutting surfaces of the fifth pair of cutting members being shapedand dimensioned to cut through an individual conductor insulation havinga second insulation dimension, the first insulation dimension beinglarger than the second insulation dimension, the method furtherincluding: determining whether the exposed individual conductorinsulation has the first insulation dimension or the second insulationdimension; when it is determined that the electrical cable has the firstinsulation dimension, removing a cut portion of the individual conductorinsulation from the electrical cable to expose the at least oneconductor by placing at least a portion of the exposed individualconductor insulation having the first insulation dimension between thefourth pair of cutting members, with the exposed individual conductorinsulation having the first insulation dimension between the fourth pairof cutting members, cutting at least partially through a portion of theindividual conductor insulation by moving the electrical cable strippingand cutting tool toward the closed position, motion of the electricalcable stripping and cutting tool toward the closed position causing thecutting surfaces of the fourth pair of cutting members to move togetherover the exposed individual conductor insulation portion of theelectrical cable to cut at least partially through a portion of theindividual conductor insulation covering the at least one electricalconductor, and removing the cut portion of the outer sheath; when it isdetermined that the electrical cable has the second insulationdimension, removing a cut portion of the individual conductor insulationfrom the electrical cable to expose the at least one conductor byplacing at least a portion of the exposed individual conductorinsulation having the second insulation dimension between the fifth pairof cutting members, with the exposed individual conductor insulationhaving the second insulation dimension between the fifth pair of cuttingmembers, cutting at least partially through a portion of the individualconductor insulation by moving the electrical cable stripping andcutting tool toward the closed position, motion of the electrical cablestripping and cutting tool toward the closed position causing thecutting surfaces of the fifth pair of cutting members to move togetherover the exposed individual conductor insulation portion of theelectrical cable to cut at least partially through a portion of theindividual conductor insulation covering the at least one electricalconductor, and removing the cut portion of the outer sheath.
 18. Themethod of claim 17, including: with at least a portion of the electricalcable between at least one of the first and second pairs of cuttingmembers and the electrical cable stripping and cutting tool in theclosed position, holding the electrical cable stationary andlongitudinally moving the electrical cable stripping and cutting toolwith respect to the electrical cable to at least partially urge the cutportion of the outer sheath longitudinally with respect to theelectrical cable; and with the exposed individual conductor insulationbetween at least one of the fourth and fifth pairs of cutting membersand the electrical cable stripping and cutting tool in the closedposition, holding the electrical cable stationary and laterally movingthe electrical cable stripping and cutting tool with respect to theelectrical cable to at least partially urge the cut portion of theindividual conductor insulation laterally with respect to the electricalcable.
 19. The method of claim 16, including spreading handle portionsof the first and second elongated members apart under the bias of abiasing member to move the electrical cable stripping and cutting toolinto the open position.
 20. The method of claim 19, including applying aforce to the first and second handles to move the electrical cablestripping and cutting tool into the closed position, the force appliedto the first and second handles causing the handles to move together,the first and second elongated members to pivot about the pivot axis,and the first and second face plates to move together.